The 5 best Calmcation cities for winter: Slow travel, nature & relaxation
Calmcation & Slowcation in winter: Why we should stay calm right now
The pre-Christmas period is officially the "season finale" of the year: deadlines, family organisation, presents, social obligations - and somewhere in between, please smile and relax and start the new year full of energy after the holidays. Of course!
So it's no wonder that the travel trends of calmcation (holidays for peace, clarity and relaxation) and slowcation (consciously decelerated travel) are now booming.
Because while people get lost between the hunt for presents, end-of-year stress and family programmes, the longing for something completely different is growing: peace and quiet.
Deceleration trips are all the rage in winter because they fulfil three needs that are particularly loud at this time of year:
- Distance from everyday noise
- Closeness to nature, art, warmth and silence
- Simply turn the world down for 48-72 hours
Here are 5 tips perfect for your winter slowdown.
Five cities for a winter slowdown
They all have a Motel One and deliver exactly what makes a Calmcation great: peace, nature, art, walks - and a little seasonal "extra" in each case.
Freiburg - Nature Calmcation in the Black Forest
Why quiet? Black Forest, rolling hills, clear winter air.
Typical atmosphere? Everything seems more relaxed than in big cities.
What you can do in winter in Freiburg
- Walk through the Schlossberg, ideal for unwinding and enjoying peaceful panoramic views.
- Visit the botanical gardens - perfect quiet corners.
- Hot chocolate in small cafés in the old town that look like "Hygge in Germany".
- Mini-wellness: the Keidel Therme is not far away and is a temple of tranquillity.
Perfect for: People who are human again after 20 minutes of contact with nature.
Motel One Freiburg: Centrally located, a quiet starting point for all Black Forest adventures and city centre walks.
Lübeck - Water Calmcation with Hanseatic Soul
Why quiet? Hanseatic city flair meets proximity to the Baltic Sea. Lübeck is big enough to be varied - and small enough not to be stressful.
Typical atmosphere? Brick Gothic, quiet alleyways, the scent of marzipan in winter. Everything feels like taking a slow breath.
What you can do in winter in Lübeck
- Stroll through the old town island - UNESCO-protected, wonderfully decelerated.
- Experience the flair of the harbour without the crowds.
- European Hanseatic Museum: impressive, quiet, atmospheric.
- A little escape to the sea: Travemünde in winter is almost meditative.
Perfect for: Water lovers, winter walkers, people who forget their to-do list to the sound of the waves.
Motel One Lübeck: In the centre of the old town - short distances, lots of peace and quiet, ideal for maritime slow moments.
Salzburg - Romantic Calmcation with Mountain Magic
Why quiet? The city looks like a living Christmas fairytale in winter: baroque alleyways, castle views, snow, musical history.
Typical atmosphere? Pure romance - but without the kitsch.
What you can do in winter in Salzburg
- Walk to Hohensalzburg Fortress - panoramas like something out of a film set.
- Explore Mirabell Gardens and the Old Town in the soft winter light.
- Enjoy classical music concerts and quiet museums.
- Hot drinks in charming coffee houses that seem like time bubbles.
Perfect for: Romantic souls, winter dreamers, couples and anyone who wants a little time out with big emotions.
Motel One Salzburg-Mirabell / Salzburg-South: Central, stylish, perfect retreats between art, culture and coffee house moments.
Edinburgh - Nature & Mysticism-Calmcation (plus starry sky!)
Why quiet? The city combines Celtic tranquillity with British serenity. And it is surrounded by nature - even in the centre of the city.
Typical atmosphere? Mystical, clear, steeped in history. Particularly atmospheric in winter.
What you can do in winter in Edinburgh
- Walk through Holyrood Park and up to Arthur's Seat - pure nature with a view of the city.
- Explore the old alleyways of the Old Town - quiet, full of history, sometimes mysterious.
- Enjoy warm pubs with open fires and dimmed lights.
- Starry sky moment: the winter air over Edinburgh is clear - and there are surprisingly good views of stars around Holyrood Park.
Perfect for: Nature romantics, history buffs, stargazers, anyone with a penchant for the mystical.
Motel One Edinburgh-Royal / Edinburgh Princes: Several hotels, all perfectly located for quiet winter strolls between nature and the old town.
Amsterdam - Urban Calmcation for Culture, Water & Minimalism
Why quiet? Despite its global reputation as a lively metropolis, Amsterdam has a surprisingly quiet side - thanks to canals, residential neighbourhoods, parks and architecture that has a calming, clear effect.
A typical atmosphere? Quiet bicycles, the muted sound of water, mild winter colours. An urban slow-motion feeling.
What you can do in winter in Amsterdam
- Walks along the canals - the view of the water is like mental yoga.
- Fill up on art at the Rijksmuseum or the relaxed Van Gogh Museum.
- Discover small vintage cafés where time stands still.
- Winter walks in the Vondelpark.
Perfect for: Anyone who wants urban inspiration - but without the noise. Art lovers, design fans, people with a soft spot for "slow city life".
Motel One Amsterdam/ Amsterdam-Waterlooplein: Stylish base for cultural walks and canal discoveries.
Why Motel One + Calmcation go so well together
Motel One is a bit like the "Hot Cocoa" of hotels in winter: solid, reliable, stylish - and not over-sugared.
What makes this combination so good?
- Central location = less travelling, more peace and quiet. You don't need a car, no bus timetable - you just go.
- Design & atmosphere. The lobbies are built for slow arrivals: dimmed lighting, warm colours, quiet corners.
- Concept: deliberately compact. No unnecessary frills, but the essentials done well.
